Shillong, Aug 19: Nangkiew Irat held firm to earn a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Nongkseh in a tense Shillong Premier League 2026 encounter at SSA Stadium here on Wednesday.
The home side struck first and fastest. Wallamsuk Nongkhlaw caught Nongkseh napping at the back and set up Jefferson, who calmly tapped in to give Nangkiew Irat an early lead.
Nongkseh, who made seven changes following their Durand Cup run, responded with waves of pressure. They won a flurry of first-half corners — one even awarded after goalkeeper Surjay Kumar Pariyar was penalised for delaying a goal kick — but failed to convert.
The equaliser finally arrived from open play. Kynsailang Khongsit’s cross from the right caused chaos in the box and Kitboklang Pale pounced to finish and make it 1-1.
The second half was all Nongkseh. They pushed for a winner while Nangkiew Irat sat deep and defended for their lives.
A big chance came in the 50th minute. Shano Tariang’s free kick was dummied by Dawanchwa C Challam for Mebankhraw Wahlang, but he blazed over from close range.
Surjay had a nervy moment minutes later when he spilled a cross, but no one was there to punish him. He made up for it in dramatic fashion, pulling off two vital saves in stoppage time to keep Nongkseh at bay.
Nongkseh talisman Chesterpaul Lyngdoh came close around the hour mark — one effort clipped the bar and another acrobatic volley flew over. In the 7th minute of added time, Dawanchwa headed just wide.
The point moves Nongkseh to second with 4 points. Nangkiew Irat are off the mark with 1 point, but still languishing near the bottom.
Both sides had 1-0 results in round one — Nongkseh beat Mylliem on July 27, while Nangkiew Irat lost to Shillong Lajong on July 29.
